GOAL hero Steve Guinan praised his Kidderminster team-mates for a solid defensive display after his predatory brace inflicted Cambridge’s first defeat of the Blue Square Bet Premier at the Abbey Stadium yesterday.

The former Hereford and Cheltenham forward’s double knocked the stuffing out of the U’s, who had called all the shots in a one-sided first half.

His double had fired Harriers 2-0 ahead at half-time before Michael Gash replied after the break.

While Guinan was definitely the match-winner, he was quick to acknowledge the hard work of the back four and keeper Danny Lewis, who pulled off several vital stops.

“It’s a great time to score before half-time,” said Guinan.

“We were holding on a bit and Danny Lewis had just made a great save to keep the scores level, but two goals in a few minutes changed the game, as well as drained the life out of Cambridge and quietened the fans down.

“We knew we’d face an important 15 minutes after half-time and unfortunately they scored, but to a man we all defended admirably and it’s a massive three points for us.”

Harriers were under pressure from the start as youthful Cambridge bossed midfield, but could not find a way beyond a well-drilled back four.

Lewis was called into action to tip over Rory McAuley’s right-footed effort and centre-back Luke Jones blocked a rasping Adam Marriott effort.

Cambridge winger Ashley Carew curled a fine left-footed effort over the bar before Lewis beat away a Marriott effort, before diving to get a hand to Carew’s dipping free-kick.

Those saves proved to be vital as Guinan demonstrated his goal-poaching instincts in the 42nd minute.

Midfielder Kyle Storer’s bypassed the home defence with a fine ball and Guinan applied a simple finish to slot it beyond keeper Danny Naisbitt.

He then pounced for a second time in the 45th minute, flicking a header past the keeper from Callum Gittings’ corner.

The goal knocked the confidence out of the home side but they tried to hit back in the second half.

Lewis was equal to an effort by Harrison Dunk, but was beaten when substitute Gash scored with his first touch in the 58th minute.

Carew swept in a cross from the right, which the former York forward tapped into the back of the net from close range.

Gash was denied the equaliser moments later, when Lewis got down alertly to his right-footed shot.

Harriers also threatened and their best effort fell to Welsh hitman Marc Williams, who saw a firm strike saved spectacularly by Naisbitt.